Edimax 3G-6210n portable 3G router

Expert Rating

Pros

Relatively compact, battery operated, supports a range of modems, works with fixed ADSL/cable connections as well as mobile broadband, easy to set up

Cons

A little expensive, battery life could be improved

Bottom Line

Compact, portable and flexible, the Edimax 3G-6210n wireless 3G portable router does its job well. It may be a little pricey when you can pick up a Wi-Fi modem with built-in 3G capabilities for a similar price, but for those who already own a USB modems, the 3G-6210n comes recommended.

Would you buy this?

Price

A portable, battery-powered wireless router, Edimax's 3G-6210n allows users to share a 3G broadband connection. Also compatible with a standard ADSL or cable Internet connection, the Edimax 3G-6210n is a handy device for travellers, but it requires a separate USB broadband modem to operate, making it a little costly.

Considering its capabilities, the Edimax 3G-6210n is a fairly small device. Its has a minimalist, glossy black design with a row of LEDs on the front that makes it quick to check the router's power, wireless connection and Internet connection status. On the right is a standard Ethernet connection along with a mini-USB port for charging and on the left are LAN//WAN and power switches and a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button.

Unlike Virgin Mobile's somewhat similar device, the Edimax 3G-6210 isn't a modem — you plug your USB modem into the router and wirelessly share your connection. A standard USB port sits on top of the 3G-6210n for connecting a modem. The idea is that you use the router to share a single mobile broadband connection, giving you wireless freedom and more flexibility than you would get with just a USB modem.

The Edimax 3G-6210n uses a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that is charged via a mini-USB connection. This makes it ideal for travellers or anyone who frequently works away from a power outlet.

A huge benefit of the Edimax 3G-6210n router is its flexibility. It supports the 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi standards and will work with any USB modem on the market including those from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, 3 and Virgin. Edimax claims the router is capable of data transmission rates of up to 150 megabits per second (Mbps). You can also connect a standard ADSL or cable modem to the Ethernet port to share a fixed-line connection. We found the Wi-Fi had a range of up to 15m indoors, which is quite impressive.

Installation is a relatively straightforward process, and Edimax includes a handy application in the sales package to help you get everything set up. It takes you through the steps of setting up the router, creating a wireless network and configuring all settings including creating an SSID, adjusting wireless security (the 3G-6210n supports WEP, WPA and WPA2) and upgrading the firmware if necessary.

We tested the Edimax 3G-6210n with USB modems from 3 Mobile and Telstra and were impressed with the results in both cases. In most instances, speeds and performance were almost identical to using the 3G modem as a standalone device. We didn't encounter any wireless performance issues, though found it best to keep the modem within 10 metres of a notebook or PC to avoid a drop in performance. Speeds suffered when three or more devices (two notebooks and a smartphone for example) were connected and browsing simultaneously, but this is a normal for a 3G connection and not the fault of the 3G-6210N.

The Edimax 3G-6210n wireless 3G portable router's 1880mAh battery is good for about 2.5 hours before it requires recharging. We did note that this figure shortens when multiple users are connected. The router can still function while being charged.

The HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile Printer is a great device that fits perfectly into my fast paced and mobile lifestyle. My first impression of the printer itself was how incredibly compact and sleek the device was.

I've had a multifunction printer in the office going on 10 years now. It was a neat bit of kit back in the day -- print, copy, scan, fax -- when printing over WiFi felt a bit like magic. It’s seen better days though and an upgrade’s well overdue. This HP OfficeJet Pro 8730 looks like it ticks all the same boxes: print, copy, scan, and fax. (Really? Does anyone fax anything any more? I guess it's good to know the facility’s there, just in case.) Printing over WiFi is more-or- less standard these days.

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